Setting up a scripted input

This section describes how to set up a scripted input for an app. To illustrate the setup, it uses an example script that polls a database and writes the results to a file. A more detailed version of this example is in Example script that polls a database. That topic provides details on the example, including code examples in Python and Java.

You can write any number and types of scripts in various scripting languages that perform various functions. This example shows the framework for a commonly found script. Adapt this framework according to your needs.

Script to poll a database

This example script does the following.

Runs at a regular interval.

Queries a database.

Writes the output to a file in a format optimized for indexing.

Splunk software indexes the file containing the results of the queries.

Directory structure

Place scripts in the /bin directory of your app.

$SPLUNK_HOME/etc/apps/<appName>/bin/

Here is the directory structure of the example script for this example. The directory structure for your app might differ.

Script files

. . ./etc/apps/<appName>/bin/my_db_poll.py

This is the script that retrieves information from the database. This script does the following:

Queries the database and writes the query result to file.

Defines the format of output data.

Accesses a database using credentials stored in key.

Reads last_eventid to determine the next event to read from the database.

Queries the database at the next event and writes the output to a file.

. . ./etc/apps/<appName>/bin/starter_script.sh

Wrapper script that calls the my_db_poll.py script. In this example, it calls my_db_poll.py with the arguments needed to query the database.

In .../etc/apps/<appName>/default/inputs.conf, create a stanza that references this wrapper script. In this example, the stanza specifies how often to call the starter script to poll the database.

. . ./etc/apps/<appName>/bin/ip2int.py

A helper script to convert IP addresses from integer format to dotted format, and back. This is a type of helper script that formats data better for indexing. You often have helper scripts that aid the main script.

. . ./etc/apps/<appName>/bin/key

Text file containing username and password encoded in base64 using the python function base64.b64encode(). The Splunk Enterprise user has read and write access to this file.

Security for passwords is an issue when running scripts.

. . ./etc/apps/<appName>/bin/last_eventid

File containing a number for the last event received from the database. my_db_poll.py writes the last_eventid after querying the database. The Splunk user has read and write access to this file.

'. . ./etc/apps/<appName>/bin/output.txt'

A single event from the script, for reference. my_db_poll.py writes the actual output from querying the database to another directory.

. . ./etc/apps/<appName>/default/inputs.conf

Configure scripted data input in $SPLUNK_HOME/etc/<appName>/default/inputs.conf. Use the local directory for the app to overwrite behavior defined in the default directory. Here is an example:

Comments

Setting up a scripted input

Enter your email address, and someone from the documentation team will respond to you:

Send me a copy of this feedback

Please provide your comments here. Ask a question or make a suggestion.

Feedback submitted, thanks!

You must be logged into splunk.com in order to post comments.
Log in now.

Please try to keep this discussion focused on the content covered in this documentation topic.
If you have a more general question about Splunk functionality or are experiencing a difficulty with Splunk,
consider posting a question to Splunkbase Answers.

0
out of 1000 Characters

Your Comment Has Been Posted Above

We use our own and third-party cookies to provide you with a great online experience. We also use these cookies to improve our products and services, support our marketing campaigns, and advertise to you on our website and other websites. Some cookies may continue to collect information after you have left our website.
Learn more (including how to update your settings) here »